A new law requiring dating apps and social media platforms to proactively detect and prevent unsolicited nude images has come into force, with non-compliant companies facing fines of up to 10% of global revenue or service blocks in the UK.
The government says one in three teenage girls have received unsolicited sexual images, and the change makes cyberflashing a priority offence under the Online Safety Act. Tech firms must now move beyond reactive measures to prevent such content reaching users.
Ofcom will consult on new codes of practice outlining required steps, including automated detection systems, stricter content policies, and moderation tools. An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We’ll consult on updates to our codes of practice soon to reflect this change to the law, and we’ll hold platforms to account for protecting people from this despicable crime.”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We’ve cracked down on perpetrators of this vile crime – now we’re turning up the heat on tech firms. Platforms are now required by law to detect and prevent this material.” Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips added that cyberflashing had long been “just another degrading abuse women and girls are expected to endure”.
Bumble, which already uses AI to detect and blur nudity in chats, welcomed the change. Elymae Cedeno, the app’s vice president of trust and safety, said: “Receiving unsolicited sexual images is a daily violation that disproportionately impacts women and undermines their sense of safety online.”
